Most lawsuits against landlords involve wrongful eviction, security deposit disputes, and Fair Housing Violations.

If you’re not well-versed in lease agreements, security deposit rules, or eviction procedures, you could run into trouble.❌ Emotional Stress – Handling tenant issues (especially late payments or evictions) can be stressful, especially if you live in the same building.Hiring a Property Manager in ChicagoPros of Hiring a Property Manager✅ Less Stress & Time Commitment – A property manager handles everything from finding tenants to collecting rent and coordinating repairs.

Key points include:Security Deposits: In Indiana, there’s no legal cap on security deposits, but you must return the deposit (minus any valid deductions) within 45 days of the tenant vacating the property.Evictions: Follow the formal process carefully.

This is a significant potential benefit that can impact everything from security deposits to rent controls to eviction procedures. 

Here's a good folder setup.Bank StatementsCredit Card StatementsProperty Management StatementsMortgage StatementsSTR Platform StatementsInvoicesReceiptsClosing Documents (Purchase/Refi/Sale)LeasesCheck & Deposit ImagesVendor ContractsW-9’s & 1099’s

I am now strict about the credit score, and not negotiating any of the other terms like decreasing the pet fee or security deposit to accommodate them.  

The law does NOT apply to landlords:With less then 5 rental unitsThat live in one unit of a duplex and rent out the other unitThat rent out rooms in the home they occupySo, landlords can no longer state in their rental ads, "Section 8 not accepted".The reverse is also true, "Section 8 only", cannot be used.We've always recommended screening S8 tenants the same way as cash-paying tenants.Landlords waiving application fees and/or security deposits only for S8 prospects may also be violating Fair Housing.

Ask your employer if you can have your pay split up into three deposits, one to investments savings, one to your checking account for personal use on a daily basis, and one to an emergency account you can tap into so you don't have to tap into your investment savings.

In mid February, many tenants get caught up when they start getting their income tax refunds (depending how fast they file).Income tax refunds also give tenants the needed funds for first month of rent + security deposit, so they can move.Check out this graph, which was created from tens of thousands of data points:Regarding your property, suggest the following:1) Where specifically is it being advertised?

Paint rags and paint plastic $386.66 Initial 70% deposit Cabinets $13,029.02 Backer board, Fiber rock, Shower drains, Zinc backer board screws $385.71 Junk Removal $600.00 red gard ($123.10) Initial 50% deposit Windows $10,493.20 2x4 studs $52.33 Junk Removal $400.00 Flooring sample $6.01 Flooring sample $68.48 Flooring sample $62.62 Flooring sample $132.09 Paint samples for accent wall $38.34 10% Draw for Master bathroom demo $580.00 Wall and shower Tile+Grout-Guest bath $528.62 LVP Flooring $7,165.27 Demo Work $1,275.00 LVP Flooring $7,198.07 Floor tile-Guest bath $889.05 50% down for moisture barrier and animal extraction $2,541.30 Returning flooring samples ($263.19) Paint-2 5gallon buckets SW $382.38 Unsure on what these are $19.54 Unsure on what these are $48.00 Master shower floor tile $331.42 Paint $3,100.00 Flooring underlayment $888.42 Primer $178.71 Paint-5 1gallon buckets SW $180.26 Paint $3,100.00 Appliances $6,820.59 Master bath tub $986.76 Paint-1 5gallon buckets SW $194.81 Primer $268.54 Framing repair for rotted wood $1,000.00 Junk Removal $500.00 Floor tile-Guest bath $771.07 Floor and Shower wall tile-Master $4,559.43 Stair noses $334.20 Master shower floor tile $612.76 Farmhouse sink $385.91 Master ceiling paint $254.29 Drywall repair in kitchen ceiling $500.00 Childrens wall tile and floor tile $3,477.40 Master shower floor tile-Return ($331.43) Drop in sinks for children's bathroom $103.75 Drop in sinks for upstairs bathroom $51.87 Master sinks $147.64 Master floor tile $270.05 Electricity $169.70 16x cement backer board return ($139.60) Tub and shower faucets $414.96 4 x Toilet seats $788.22 Tile install materials for all bathrooms $863.00 Air filters $10.90 Gas pipe and AC tune up+Duct repair $1,216.00 Tile install materials for all bathrooms $984.78 Roll of insulation X2 $38.48 Primer refund $125.33 Shower faucets X2 $480.71 Water $11.41 Master shower floor tile-Return the original white one ($261.55) Demo and materials he bought $1,005.14 Pickup charge for picking up flooring $223.96 Flooring 1st payment $4,000.00 Flooring return-guest bathroom tile ($889.05) Red guard refund $71.34 Backer board, wall tile and floor tile upstairs master return ($134.34) Keys X3 $10.93 Remaining balance for moisture barrier $2,046.30 Subfloor repair $100.00 Flooring $9,900.64 Master tub filler faucet $311.35 Tile labor in all bathrooms $9,202.22 Stair treads and risers $1,160.76 Bathroom painting $2,000.00 Junk Removal $150.00 Return for stair noses ($334.20) Return for flooring ($13,488.73) Flooring $1,900.00 Flooring underlayment $899.35 Trim $1,053.17 Toilet supply lines $13.46 Tile sealer, garage epoxy, garbage disposal $313.00 Return for remaining balance ($1,098.57) Floor reducer $49.99 Garage door opener $267.66 Door hardware (Hinges and door handles) $451.14 Counter tops $5,287.01 Tile return ($981.43) Tile return ($685.14) Tile return ($385.53) Tile return ($153.19) Tile return ($613.13) Flooring $1,900.00 Plumbing and electrical work (Light fix, toilets, drains) $975.00 Light fixtures and faucets $975.49 Junk Removal $125.00 Baseboards $241.45 Switches, outlets, faceplates $234.53 Cabinet balance $5,583.86 Sink return ($155.62) Dining room light and 4 ceiling fans $923.70 Anti skid additive for garage floor $11.38 Flooring $1,900.00 Glidden gel paint $24.01 Paint refund ($1,046.40) Counter tops $2,304.23 Extension rods for ceiling fans $40.64 3 Ceiling fans (one was returned) $573.93 Return grills $100.11 Kitchen and nook light fixtures $283.80 Rod for curtains and toilet paper holder $84.10 Curtain rods $54.60 Garage door deposit $1,185.00 Cleaning $400.00 Water heater $756.18 Thermostat $181.41 Stump Removal $300.00 Dryer cord $28.53 Plumbing and electrical work (Light fix, toilets, drains) $3,525.00 Junk Removal $125.00 Grass seed $71.40 Return of shipping cost ($297.45) Duct cleaning $970.00 Drains for master $46.54 Sold Fridge ($200.00) Bathroom fans $91.92 Samples for brick $29.98 Peg board hooks $20.83 Wall plate covers $21.28 Steel pegboards $140.72 Return stair tread and Riser ($198.14) Pressure washing $1,216.00 Wall plate covers $8.11 Shower door for upstairs $729.83 Powder room counter top $702.99 Light bulbs $59.24 Shower door deposit $1,000.00 Staple gun, staples, supply lines $157.04 Bathtowel hanging hardware $130.89 Light bulbs $29.62 GFCIs, underlayment, downrods ($233.54) Sanding pads $59.10 Yard hanging tools $21.94 Supply line return ($13.12) Stair clips and balusters $779.58 Returned some bathroom tile ($109.05) Peg board hooks $120.04 Front door $3,235.01 Brick sealer $50.81 Bathroom fan light and peg board hooks $71.27 Sanding pads, sanding sheets, etc $38.48 Mirrors $65.84 Mirrors $291.88 Spray bottle for marble sealer $4.34 Brick backsplash $695.54 Sanding pads $2.20 Shelves and shelf brackets for storage room $73.14 Shower door balance $1,000.00 Mirrors $104.26 Returned mirrors ($89.50) Gutters $2,043.15 Floors for finishing room $373.78 Wall plate covers $8.07 Floetrel and hood vent $31.49 Plumbing and electrical work $175.00 Backsplash and fireplace $2,450.00 Trim paint $50.21 Tile for master finish $15.17 Returned something.